How am I supposed to 'activate' my AP before I check in?

[luv2plan]

So, I just got an AP rate yesterday and the CM said I had to activate my AP before I can check-in?
How the heck am I supposed to do that?

Leave my family at the hotel while I go to a park and go thru the turnstile?

Go to a park without checking in? Will they keep my bags if I haven't checked in?

I'm a bit aggravated at the whole thing, but I saved $350 with the rate.

Thanks & Have a great weekend!

 

[SeaSpray]

Do you have the actual Annual Pass in your hand, or just the voucher? When she said you have to "activate it", she meant that if you have a voucher, you need to turn it in and get the actual Pass. If you already have an actual Pass, then you're all set

 

[fla4fun]

Sometimes if you show them the voucher, they will go ahead and check you in, and ask you to come back later that day to show them the valid pass. If you don't go back, you lose the discount. If you do, everything is OK.

 

[luv2plan]

I just have the voucher. She said the only way to activate it is at a park??

 

[BrianD]

You activate it by going to the Guest Relations window at one of the 4 theme parks, or you can do this at Guest Services at Downtown Disney.

That being said, chances are you will be just fine with the voucher. More than half of the times I have never even been asked to present my AP. Even if you are asked, then they will probably be happy with the voucher. And as was mentioned earlier, at worst case they will check you in and ask you to come back once it is active.

We will be in the same situation this December.

 

[AKLRULZ]

Your voucher will absolutely work - if they even ask. For the past seven trips I've not had to show my AP. However, when I first got the AP back in 2001 I was asked to show it at the AKL upon check in (only had the voucher at that point which worked fine).

 

[luv2plan]

Thank you for putting my mind at ease!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) You can activate at Guest Service at Downtown Disney or any park.
2) The actual AP is required, not just the voucher.
3) Sure,
. . . some people showed only the voucher in the past
. . . some said they would come back with the AP
4) THE OFFICIAL POLICY, is no AP, no discount and room reverts to rack rate
5) The CM's have been told to go by the policy, as you heard on the phone.
6) Don't risk losing your discount.
7) Get activated prior to check-in.

NOTE: With the actual AP in hand, you still might get lucky with a kind Front Desk CM. He/she might let you check-in, but most will not. Better to stick with the policy than chance losing discounts. There have been too many people getting an AP discount that should not. In fact, there are many that show a voucher who do not get the AP during that trip. They are just enforcing the policy.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I always stop at DTD and activate it there at Guest Services, because I have been asked and once had to back track to DTD to get it done.

 

[Sammie]

As Rusty said, I would not chance not having it activated. Disney is not as lenient anymore with this type of thing due to abuse.

Downtown Disney is easy and if you go to a park, you don't go through the gates you go to Guest Services which is outside the turnstyles. MGM is the easies to get to and you can have your husband drop you off and circle back and get you. Simply tell the person at the entrance what you need to do.

 

[goofy4tink]

It's just not something I worry about. I've gotten the AP discount several times, with just the voucher. The CM told me to come back, to the front desk within 24 hrs, and show the AP. Otherwise, they would charge the rack rate. I've also never been asked to show my AP when checking in...not once. And, I've had it out, all ready to go.
Would I arrive at the resort, then go to a park to activate my AP, and then go back to the resort to checkin? Nope. I think you will find most front desk CMs to be pretty lenient. But you may want to check back with them the next day, after you have an activated AP...sure would hate to come across a persnickity CM who decided to charge that rack rate, with you assuming it was all going to be fine.

 

[luv2plan]

We are using magical express & staying at the Polynesian, so I guess we will try to check-in and if they are sticklers, then I can monorail to MK and get it taken care of at Guest Services.

Thank you for all the advice! I'm sure all will work out!

 

[iluveeyore]

Yes, I would just try and check in first with your voucher - don't even mention it unless they ask. We were just there mid-July at OKW and were never asked for it - we got ours activated at guest services at DTD that evening, so we could have shown it at the front desk within 24 hours with no problems at all. No worries - all of the CM's at check-in are always more than understanding and helpful with any of your concerns.
Have a great time!!!!